Just minutes before the first ball was to be played, the New Zealand cricket team called off their historic tour of Pakistan. The tour has been cancelled owing to a security alert, according to the board. The Black Caps arrived in Pakistan after an 18-year absence to face the Men in Green.
This decision disjointed and angered many cricketing fans and sportsmen in Pakistan. The new head of the Pakistan Cricket Board, was one of many Pakistanis who voiced their displeasure with New Zealand’s decision to cancel the tour. The Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Ramiz Raja stated Friday that the black caps will hear from Pakistan at the International Cricket Council (ICC) after the tour was cancelled due to “security concerns.”
Chairman PCB remarked in a tweet, ‘’ Crazy day it has been! Feel so sorry for the fans and our players. Walking out of the tour by taking a unilateral approach on a security threat is very frustrating. Especially when it’s not shared!! Which world is NZ living in??NZ will hear us at ICC.’’
Over security concerns, New Zealand cricket has cancelled a series of one-day and T20 internationals against Pakistan. Not only this would cost Pakistan Cricket a huge financial loss but also this decision might derail Pakistan’s efforts to revive cricket on its home soil.
